Food production sites are under increasing pressure to reduce waste, all while increasing output, driving standards of food safety, and delivering cost reductions.

The effective management of equipment is one of the best ways to make this happen – extending the lifespan of the tools at your site to eliminate unnecessary replacements.

But, how does this work when it comes to your detectable pens and markers? The following article has five actionable ideas for you to explore.

Detectable pens and markers that have been designed with the food industry in mind (e.g. shatter resistant, hygienic design, minimal components) are likely to withstand the harsh demands of factory life.

However, without a culture of accountability, it will be impossible to protect your pens from loss or even theft. This makes the ongoing training of your team absolutely essential. Your pens need to be used for the correct applications, kept in the right factory zones, and returned to a safe storage space after every use. There should also be a procedure in place for the disposal of pens and markers, otherwise, there is a risk that operatives will discard them before they’ve reached the end of their ink life.

The next step is to think about where your detectable pens are being stored between use. For some sites this will be a factory-appropriate shelf and for others this will be a wall-mounted or portable storage station. The main thing is that your pens and markers are easily accessible, protected from dirt and debris, and are unable to fall or roll onto the factory floor.

You could then introduce bespoke wording or visuals, either to the station itself or in the form of a nearby sign. What better way to remind your team to return their pens after use, making sure to wipe off any debris and either retract the nib or replace the cap (depending on the style of pen being used).

As with all of the equipment at your site, regular and thorough cleaning will help to extend the lifespan of your pens and markers. So, it’s important that your Hygiene Team stays on top of removing any food debris or greasy residues. This is not only an essential part of protecting your pens, it is also a matter of food safety and compliance.

Just remember to inspect and evaluate the cleaning chemicals and equipment your Hygiene Team intends to use for this task. If your pens and markers have been hygienically designed (smooth and free from harbourage points), there shouldn’t be any need to use overly-harsh chemicals that could degrade the pen housing over time.

Next, set up an Inventory Management System that tracks the expected lifespan of your pens and markers. Your supplier should be able to provide the relevant information. For example, our Retractable Detectable Pens (Regular Ink) offer a minimum writing length of 11km or 6.84 miles.  

You can strengthen this system by opting for
colour-coded housing or plungers that relate to key factors such as ink colour, ink type, the team the pen belongs to, or the area of your site where the pen should be kept. In addition to your more in depth inspections, colour-coding will make it easier to carry out quick visual checks to see if you are running low on a certain kind of detectable pen.

Although tracking the lifespan of your pens and markers is important, this won’t account for any misuse, damage or breakages. That is why you need to conduct regular Equipment Inspections, ensuring your pens are still safe to use and easy to write with. Your detectable pens are more likely to pass these inspections if you opt for durable design features like the ones used throughout the Retreeva range:

• Shatter resistant housing
• Extra-strong lanyard loops and pocket clips
• 6 day cap off time (markers with lids) OR a unique cartridge suspension that eliminates the need for lids (retractable markers)